What's Next after SRT?

[Rfs1975]

I finished SRT on August 19th. First PSA on October 14 , 0.03; follow up PSA on Wednesday January 15th, PSA 0.01. Meeting with my Radiation oncologist today, what should I expect moving forward, how often should I have my PSA tested, any other advise would be greatly appreciated.

Richard

[Rfs1975]

Thanks for the advice Nalakrats. Should I get me PSA tested at the same place (Lahey clinic, Boston) ? I don't think my doctor will authorize a monthly test, but will find out today.

[Hidden in reply to Rfs1975]

"Use of the same lab" is a very simplistic, not to say naive, assertion.

First of all, it depends to the purpose of the test.

a) If it is for trend detection, it bears some merits. Same lab does not guarantee same equipment, same assay or batch of, same calibration and most importantly same person to interpret the results, especially for values close to the minimum discernible PSA.

You just pray that the above are as standardized as a NIST traceable calibration procedure, which obviously they are not.

b) If it is for the establishment of an accurate absolute value, say that you have decided to start SRT at 0.1, same lab is an absolute no-no. Use more and average.

What do I personally do?

I use two interleaved labs: One month labA, next month LabB, then LabA, and so forth.

As long as they report consistent values, no need for furter cross checking. If they don't I will bring in a third lab and employ a majority vote decision.

I have witnessed many unintentional, even intentional*, causes of error to trust a single source.

(*) To give you an example: All studio equipment for broadcast TV production are tied to a central time reference for staying in sync (genlock). Top of the line radio houses employ a number of atomic clocks (Rubidium/Cesium). Where I worked at we had the next best thing. A pair of GPS disciplined time receivers with automated changeover. One day all equipment started dancing around. The news feed from Reuters helped us identify the cause and shut down GPS. It was the first assault wave of the USA against Iraq...

[Rfs1975]

Thanks, got it!

[Tall_Allen]

Congratulations! I had PSA tests every 3 months for 1 year, then every 6 months for a year, then (and now) annually.

[Rfs1975 in reply to Tall_Allen]

Thanks for the feedback, that is what my RO recommended yesterday

[Break60]

Get your PSA and testosterone level measured every three months . You don’t show your history /profile; you had RP but what was you post RP pathology? That will give a clue as to your future prognosis. Good luck !